City of Essen

Yellow-blue with the arms, also in banner [hanging flag] form. The arms consist of two shields united under a coronet. Its history is told in International Civic Arms website maintained byRalf Hartemink.
Sources: flag from Staack 1997, arms from Stadler 1972, p.39
Stefan Schwoon, 23 Feb 2001

From Ralf Hartemink's International Civic Arms website: The arms of Essen are unique, as they show two shields under a single coronet [not really, see
Brandenburg]. The original arms, a shield with a sword, are known since 1399, but were rarely used. In 1623 the German Emperor granted the city the right to use the Imperial Eagle. Normally the shield would be divided or the original arms were placed on the eagle. This never officially happened in Essen, although sometimes both arms are combined in a single shield in books and maps. The coronet indicates the foundation of the freedom of the monastery (with the rank of Prince) in 852. The arms were granted in 1886.
Sources: Stadler 1972, p.39 and Nagel 1986.
Santiago Dotor, 19 Dec 2001